Written Answers Wednesday 3 March 2010

Scottish Executive

2014 Commonwealth Games

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the respective responsibilities are of (a) the Scottish Government Equalities, Social Inclusion and Sports Directorate, (b) Glasgow City Council, (c) Glasgow 2014 Ltd and (d) Commonwealth Games Scotland in relation to the 2014 Commonwealth Games and which is the lead organisation.

Shona Robison: Although the Scottish Government is the ultimate guarantor of the games and is contributing 80% of the public sector funding, it is a partnership arrangement with individual partners take the lead in their areas of responsibility but work with and report progress to the other partners through the governance forums that have been established.

  The strategic group provides overall direction on planning and delivery of the games. The group, chaired by the First Minister, is the ultimate decision-making body and dispute resolution mechanism for the games.

  The main responsibilities of the partners are set out in the following table:

  

 Organisation
 Key Responsibilities


 Scottish Government Social Inclusion, Equalities and Sport Directorate
 Oversees and co-ordinates Scottish Government interest in all aspects of games delivery e.g. overall governance structure, sound financial management of the games budget and its position as ultimate guarantor of the games. Overall responsibility for the security of the games Ensuring delivery of planned infrastructure projects in areas such as transport Introducing legislation to the Scottish Parliament to ensure compliance with all aspects of the requirements set out by the Commonwealth Games Federation.Planning and co-ordinating Scotland-wide legacy benefits and implementing the published Legacy Plan.Administrative support to the Glasgow 2014 Strategic Group and the Glasgow 2014 Working Group.


 Glasgow City Council
 Ensuring the delivery of major council-owned infrastructure projects including some of the games venues and transport projects. Designing and constructing an Athletes Village Developing and implementing the City Councils legacy planDeveloping and implementing a city transport planProviding a programme of related cultural events taking place during the lead up to but mainly during the period of the gamesResponsibility for the public facilities (public buildings, public spaces and public services) within the City of Glasgow 


 Glasgow 2014 Ltd 
 Holds the primary responsibility for the staging of the games.Co-ordinating and facilitating all aspects of operational planning for the games e.g. the sporting programme, venue planning, delivery planning and village operationsRaising funds through sponsorship, licensing, broadcasting rights and ticketing to partially offset the costs of staging the Games.


 Commonwealth Games Scotland
 Selecting and preparing a Scottish team for the Commonwealth Games and the Commonwealth Youth Games Contributing to sound governance of the gamesCommonwealth Games Scotland is the host Commonwealth Games Association.

Alcohol Misuse

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many GP consultations were directly connected with alcohol-related conditions in the last year for which information is available and what the estimated cost was.

Shona Robison: The exact number of GP consultations that were directly connected with alcohol-related conditions in Scotland, is not available centrally. However, national estimates can be given based on the number of consultations there have been relating to alcohol abuse, from a sample of Scottish general practices participating in PTI (Practice Team Information).

  Based on PTI data, the estimated number of consultations with a GP for alcohol abuse in Scotland, during the financial year 2007-08, was 102,268. This equates to a rate of 19 per 1,000 registered patients.

  These figures are likely to considerably underestimate the true number of GP consultations

  connected with alcohol-related conditions in Scotland

  . The figures relate only to consultations with a

  GP where alcohol abuse was specifically recorded as an issue. Many other consultations may have been due to alcohol-related conditions even though alcohol abuse was not specifically recorded. Furthermore, other members of the practice team (such as nurses) will also see patients for alcohol-related problems.

  Information on estimated costs of consultations for alcohol-related conditions is not available centrally. Although figures on general practice expenditure are collected and published routinely, the data are not split down to provide a measure of costs associated with individual reasons for each GP consultation.

Alcohol Misuse

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many laboratory tests directly connected with alcohol misuse were carried out in the last year for which information is available and what the estimated cost was.

Shona Robison: The information of laboratory tests and costs for alcohol misuse is not collected centrally.

Apprenticeships

David Whitton (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the statement by the UK National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) that 16 to 17-year-olds not in full-time education have seen the largest absolute fall in their employment rate since the start of the recession, whether it plans to create a non-sector-specific apprenticeship grant scheme targeting unemployed people aged 16 to 17, similar to that provided by the NAS.

Keith Brown: Over the last six months the Scottish Government has introduced Invest in an Apprentice and the £1,000 Apprenticeship Grant to address Scottish needs. The Scottish Government will assess the benefits of these programmes before considering any further financial incentives for employers.

Community Care

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how its policies to improve the commissioning of care services will take into account costs associated with travel, travel time and training.

Shona Robison: The Scottish Government is currently consulting on draft guidance on social care procurement which provides a framework and defines a set of guiding principles for social care procurement activity. The draft guidance underlines the need for local authorities to be realistic in specifying requirements and outcomes which can be delivered within available budgets. It also states that local authorities must take account of the need for a skilled and competent workforce.

  The consultation documents can be accessed on the Scottish Government’s website:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/01/13125045/0.

  The consultation period ends on 5 April 2010.

Community Care

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how its policies to improve the commissioning of care services will ensure that care providers are not held to account by the regulator for local authority commissioning practices.

Shona Robison: Local authorities have a duty to commission community care services. They may provide these services themselves directly or they may commission care services in line with their local commissioning strategy. Where they commission, or provide directly, services of a type which is regulated under the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001, those services are required to be registered with the Care Commission. The commission inspects all registered services against the relevant statutory provisions and the National Care Standards in order to ensure that people using care services receive good quality care.

Community Care

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that local authority commissioning of social care support in the community operates within a national contract and pricing framework.

Shona Robison: Given the complexity of social care procurement, it is necessary to consider the desirability of national contracts and pricing frameworks on a case-by-case basis. The Scottish Government, COSLA and Scotland Excel (the procurement Centre of Expertise for local authorities) are working together to explore best practice in relation to social care contracts and pricing frameworks. Scotland Excel is currently consulting local authorities on the opportunities for joint commissioning of services.

Digital Technology

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the report, Digital Britain, by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has been discussed at meetings between it and the UK Government and, if so, what the outcomes of such discussions were.

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will respond to the report, Digital Britain, by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and, if so, when.

Fiona Hyslop: Scottish ministers responded on 12 March 2009 to the interim Digital Britain report. That response can be found on the Scottish Government’s website at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/127313/0079137.pdf.

  Since the final Digital Britain report was published on 16 June 2009, Scottish ministers have responded to the following consultations which arose from that report:

  Consultation on amendments to the community radio licensing regime (25 August 2009)

  Consultation on sustainable, independent and impartial news in the Nations, locally and in the regions (22 September 2009)

  Consultation on potential reclassification of production companies owned by Channel 3 licence holders, 28 January 2010 – this response can be found at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/ArtsCultureSport/arts/Broadcasting.

  A Consultation on a direction to Ofcom to implement the Wireless Spectrum Modernisation Programme (4 February 2010)

  Implementing a landline duty: consultation on draft legislation and impacts (4 February 2010).

  Scottish ministers also intend to respond to the UK Government’s Consultation on proposals for a Next Generation Fund, for which the closing date is 1 April 2010.

  Scottish ministers have met UK Government Ministers twice since the publication of the final Digital Britain report to discuss issues relating to Digital Britain. Mike Russell, the then Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution met

  Siôn

  Simon MP, the then UK Government Minister for the Creative Industries, on 2 November 2009 and Jim Mather, the Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism met Stephen Timms MP, UK Government Minister for Digital Britain, on 22 February 2010. The meetings covered a range of issues on which there will be ongoing dialogue between the UK Government and the Scottish Government.

Drug and Alcohol Misuse

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the most effective, evidence-based form of treatment and support in the long term is for people addicted to (a) drugs and (b) alcohol.

Shona Robison: Decisions on the most appropriate treatment for individual clients are taken by clinicians who determine the most appropriate form of treatment, taking account of the needs and circumstances of each client. Their aim is to ensure that the treatment package will provide the most effective support for the individual concerned.

  The national drug strategy – The Road to Recovery - recognises the importance of providing person-centred care, support and treatment opportunities that suit individual choice and need. We are interested in evidence-based treatments and care approaches which benefit those with substance misuse problems. This is why the Scottish Government commissioned a National Drugs Evidence Review, on behalf of the National Drugs Evidence Group, whose role is to advise Scottish Ministers on the research and information priorities required to deliver the national drugs strategy.

  This is why the Scottish Government commissioned a National Drugs Evidence Review, on behalf of the National Drugs Evidence Group, whose role it is to advise Scottish ministers on the research and information priorities required to deliver the national drugs strategy. The purpose of this review is to assess the adequacy of the existing evidence base from Scotland and UK and internationally with a view to understanding more about ‘what works’ for people in drugs recovery. This research will also identify gaps in existing knowledge and set out the priorities for addressing these.

  However, because drug users may experience various treatment types over the course of their recovery, it is not possible to say definitively, from the evidence available, that one type of treatment is more effective than another. Furthermore, because drug treatment should be tailored towards the needs of individuals, different treatment types may have very different client groups, for example, in terms of their experiences and their motivation to recover.

  It is well established that early intervention and treatment can be effective in preventing more serious alcohol problems developing in the first place. This is why the Scottish Government has invested record funding in alcohol support and treatment services and established a NHS target for the delivery of alcohol brief interventions and are introducing a NHS target to reduce drug and alcohol treatment service waiting times.

  The Scottish Government has established a working group, through the Scottish Ministerial Advisory Committee on Alcohol Problems (SMACAP), to update core services for alcohol treatment and support. This group is revisiting the principles underpinning the Alcohol Treatment Services Framework; identifying and updating effective interventions, and setting out guidance on development of integrated care pathways which take into consideration multiple and complex needs.

  The Essential Services working group will report at the end of the year.

Drug and Alcohol Misuse

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what research is available on the success or otherwise of current provision of support and services for the treatment of people with drugs and alcohol addiction to gain abstinence in the long term.

Shona Robison: The Scottish Alcohol Needs Assessment (SANA) 2009 research report, which considered current provision of support and treatment services for alcohol, found that community and residential alcohol services provided a range of treatment interventions. Community services most commonly provided structured psychological/cognitive interventions, advice (including on abstinence), and brief interventions, while residential agencies provided residential rehabilitation (including detoxification) and inpatient treatment.

  The Scottish Government has established a working group, through the Scottish Ministerial Advisory Committee on Alcohol Problems (SMACAP), to update core services for alcohol treatment and support. This group is revisiting the principles underpinning the Alcohol Treatment Services Framework; identifying and updating effective interventions, and setting out guidance on development of integrated care pathways which take into consideration multiple and complex needs.

  The Essential Services working group will report at the end of the year.

  Decisions on the most appropriate treatment for individual clients are taken by clinicians who determine the most appropriate form of treatment, taking account of the needs, circumstances and goals of each client. Their aim is to ensure that the treatment package will provide the most effective, evidence-based support for the individual concerned. Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs), supported by National Support Co-ordinators (NSCs), consider the evidence on effective interventions when commissioning services, and build in arrangements for assessing treatment outcomes.

  The new national drug strategy – The Road to Recovery - recognises the importance of providing person-centred care, support and treatment opportunities that suit individual choice and need. We are interested in evidence-based treatments and care approaches which benefit those with substance misuse problems. This is why the Scottish Government has commissioned a National Drugs Evidence Review, on behalf of the National Drugs Evidence Group, whose role it is to advise Scottish Ministers on the research and information priorities required to deliver the national drugs strategy.

  The purpose of this review is to assess the adequacy of the existing evidence base from Scotland, the UK and internationally with a view to understanding more about "what works" for people in drugs recovery. The research will also identify the gaps in existing knowledge and set out the priorities for addressing these.

Economy

Stuart McMillan (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what its future priorities are for economic recovery.

John Swinney: The Scottish Government’s efforts to address the economic downturn and steer Scotland’s economy towards recovery have evolved as the impacts of recession have unfolded.

  The Scottish Economic Recovery Plan: Accelerating Recovery, copies of which are available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 50311), sets out a comprehensive range of measures to accelerate economic recovery in Scotland. This includes development of a low carbon economy, supporting internationalisation, further improvements to the planning system, managing labour market pressures, a renewed focus on commercialisation, and improved access to finance.

  Shaped by discussions with key stakeholders, this latest update demonstrates the importance of alignment across the public sector to deliver a comprehensive range of measures to accelerate recovery. The plan continues to focus on the three key areas for recovery and sustainable economic growth: investing in innovation and industries of the future; strengthening education and skills, and supporting jobs and communities.

Environment

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive what advice and information it provides to the public on environmental rights, including rights that arise from the United Kingdom’s obligations under the Aarhus Convention.

Richard Lochhead: Scottish Government and its agencies provide information on a wide range of environmental issues, including rights arising under the Aarhus Convention. It is not the role of Scottish Government to provide advice on the interpretation of legislation or on an individual’s legal rights under environmental legislation.

Fair Trade

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much it spent on Fairtrade products in 2008-09 and what proportion of overall spending on catering services this represents.

John Swinney: Customer spend on Fairtrade and ethically traded products through the Scottish Government’s catering contract was £211,330 in financial year 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009. This equated to 10% of the total customer spend.

Fatal Accident Inquiry

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-29348 by Kenny MacAskill on 7 December 2009, whether it will provide a timescale for the implementation of the recommendations of the Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths Inquiry (Scotland) Act 1976 review led by Lord Cullen of Whitekirk.

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-29347 by Kenny MacAskill on 7 December 2009, whether it is now in a position to respond to the findings of the Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths Inquiry (Scotland) Act 1976 review led by Lord Cullen of Whitekirk.

Kenny MacAskill: Because so many of Lord Cullen’s recommendations have practical implications for the Scottish Court Service and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, the Government is involved in discussions with these bodies in identifying how the recommendations should be implemented. It is not possible at this stage to provide a timescale for implementation.

Fatal Accident Inquiry

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what recommendations Lord Cullen has made in his report on the Review of the Fatal Accident Inquiry Legislation.

Kenny MacAskill: Lord Cullen’s Report on his Review of the Fatal Accident Inquiry Legislation, including his recommendations, may be viewed at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/FAIreview . There are some 35 recommendations, many of which are in several parts.

Fatal Accident Inquiry

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to allow for legal representation of core participants, such as the family of the deceased, at fatal accident inquiries.

Kenny MacAskill: Core participants can already be represented at fatal accident inquiries (FAI) and bereaved families may receive legal aid if they cannot afford to pay for that representation.

  The purpose of a fatal accident inquiry is to investigate the circumstances of death in the public interest - to try to avoid similar incidents in future.

  Procurators fiscal have a public duty to fulfil at the inquiry, including leading evidence to establish the cause of death. The fiscal will meet with the family to discuss the conduct of the FAI. They will inform the family as to the witnesses and evidence they intend to produce and what line of questioning they intend to pursue. Often the fiscal will ask the family if there are any particular questions or issues that they wish raised.

  In some circumstances, however, the families may have questions that the fiscal does not feel it would be appropriate to ask in the public interest. Families may wish to ask questions intended to establish whether there are grounds for civil proceedings following the fatal accident inquiry. In such cases the families may instruct their own legal representative.

  If the family cannot afford to pay for legal representation, they may be eligible to receive legal aid. The Scottish Legal Aid Board can make legal aid available where a person entitled to be represented at a fatal accident inquiry can show that they have concerns which the procurator fiscal is not going to raise at the Inquiry.

  Any application for legal aid will be subject to the usual statutory tests of financial eligibility, probable cause and reasonableness, that is, whether it is reasonable in the particular circumstances of the case that legal aid should be provided.

  Lord Cullen has recommended that relatives of the deceased should not have to justify the reasonableness of the granting of legal aid for their representation at the FAI and that Scottish Ministers should consider increasing the limit for legal aid in FAIs and the extent to which legal aid is available within that limit. Scottish Ministers will consider this proposal in conjunction with the Scottish Legal Aid Board.

Fatal Accident Inquiry

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the recommendations arising from a fatal accident inquiry are binding on the agencies to which they refer.

Kenny MacAskill: Under the existing legislation, sheriffs’ recommendations are not binding on the parties or bodies to whom they are directed and Lord Cullen has not recommended in his report that they should become binding or that they should have general application.

  Lord Cullen considered that to make it mandatory to comply with recommendations would carry significant disadvantages. He thought that it would introduce an adversarial element into the fatal accident inquiry (FAI), "since a body which might be faced with a possible imposition of a duty would require notice and might well seek to contest it. Provision might have to be made for an appeal. These factors would make for an unwelcome addition to the length and complexity of the FAI. By the time that the sheriff came to the question of the imposition of a duty, circumstances might have so changed that an originally conceived duty was no longer appropriate".

  Lord Cullen also commented that "The imposition of a duty [to comply with a recommendation] would be pointless without some form of sanction for non-compliance, and it was not clear what sanction would be practicable".

Fatal Accident Inquiry

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it monitors the implementation of recommendations arising from a fatal accident inquiry.

Kenny MacAskill: Justice officials constructed a database in 2006 which recorded sheriffs’ recommendations from fatal accident inquiries (FAI), but not their entire determination (since to publish the details of the death may be distressing to relatives). The database recorded the cause of death, date of death and dates of when the inquiry started, even if there were no recommendations.

  The database also identified the body or party to whom a recommendation had been directed by the sheriff, including their contact details. The purpose of the database was to assist interested parties to contact those to whom recommendations had been addressed to find out what action had been taken in relation to compliance with those recommendations.

  The database was established because it was concluded that officials in justice and government generally have neither the resources nor the expertise to monitor whether recommendations have been complied with. Furthermore, it was considered that in many cases the recommendations from a particular FAI may have no general application, a point also noted by Lord Cullen.

  Lord Cullen has not recommended that the Scottish Government should begin to formally monitor implementation of recommendations made at a fatal accident inquiry. He suggested that when a recommendation is made by a sheriff, the entity or body to whom it is directed should be under a duty to make a written response to an appropriate department of the Scottish Government, within a period set by the sheriff, stating whether and to what extent it has implemented, or intends to implement, the recommendations or, if not, for what reason or reasons. This replicates the new arrangements under the system of coroners’ inquests in England and Wales under the Coroners and Justice Act 2009.

  Lord Cullen further recommended that the relevant department should publish an annual report of the recommendations and the responses to them. It would not, however, be responsible for ensuring compliance.

  The government is considering Lord Cullen’s recommendation in this regard.

Finance

Ms Wendy Alexander (Paisley North) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on devolving financial services regulation to the Scottish Parliament and a Scottish financial services authority.

John Swinney: The Scottish Government believes that only full independence will offer the Scottish Government the widest set of fiscal and economic policy levers which would allow us to properly determine the best approach to the development and regulation of financial services in Scotland, including making decisions on which institution(s) should be involved in each of the main aspects of ensuring an efficiently functioning market, financial stability and consumer protection

  It is clear that although the importance of the financial system to national economies means that financial regulation will remain primarily a national issue - international and European rules are increasingly becoming more important in order to ensure a global response to the current financial crisis and the development of systems to help identify and mitigate these types of risk in the future.

  It is vital that Scotland is in a position to influence the development of measures to regulate systemic risk in the financial services sector, taking into account the continuing, and welcome, presence of major banks and wider financial services sector in Scotland.

Finance

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much capital that has not been committed is available in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11 and (c) 2011-12.

John Swinney: The Scottish Government plans to utilise the full value of the capital budget in the current financial year. For the next financial year the capital budget has been fully allocated in accordance with the 2010-11 Budget approved by Parliament. Capital budgets have not yet been set for 2011-12 since this is outwith the current Spending Review period.

Firearms

Alison McInnes (North East Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the electro-shock from a Taser gun could trigger a seizure in an individual with a low seizure threshold.

Alison McInnes (North East Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether a Taser gun discharge could destabilise an individual with well controlled epilepsy.

Alison McInnes (North East Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to ensure that the use of Taser guns in Scotland does not emulate that in the United States where there have been reportedly over 300 Taser gun-related fatalities since 2001.

Kenny MacAskill: Firearms legislation is reserved, and is the responsibility of the UK Government. The deployment and use of firearms is an operational matter for chief constables. Scottish police forces follow guidance contained in the Association of Chief Police Officers’ Manual of Guidance on Police Use of Firearms. This guidance reflects the advice of the Defence Scientific Advisory Council Sub-committee on the Medical Implications of Less-lethal Weapons (DOMILL). Officers authorised to use Tasers receive training on relevant medical issues.

Firearms

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-255 by Kenny MacAskill on 6 June 2007, which stated that the policy of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland provides that Tasers will only be issued to authorised firearms officers, whether it considers the decision by Strathclyde Police to issue Tasers to frontline officers to constitute a change in policy.

Kenny MacAskill: Firearms legislation is reserved, and is the responsibility of the UK Government. The deployment and use of firearms is an operational matter for chief constables. It is for the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland to decide, in consultation with the chief constables of all eight police forces in Scotland, whether its policy should be amended following the pilot in Strathclyde.

Firearms

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Strathclyde Police regarding its decision to move away from current policy that Tasers should be used only by specially trained, authorised firearms officers.

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland regarding the proposal by Strathclyde Police to move away from current policy that Tasers should be used only by specially trained, authorised firearms officers.

Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Government held no discussions with Strathclyde Police or any other police body regarding Strathclyde’s decision to pilot these arrangements. Firearms legislation is reserved, and is the responsibility of the UK Government. The deployment and use of firearms is an operational matter for chief constables.

Firearms

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, given that Strathclyde Police is piloting the use of Tasers outwith authorised firearms operations, what policy and guidance will govern such use.

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, given that Strathclyde Police is piloting the use of Tasers outwith authorised firearms operations, under what circumstances they will now be deployed.

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, given that only trained firearms officers are currently authorised to carry Tasers, what its position is on the adequacy of three days of training to equip a police officer with the necessary competency, knowledge, skills and judgement to safely use such a weapon.

Kenny MacAskill: Firearms legislation is reserved, and is the responsibility of the UK Government. The deployment and use of firearms is an operational matter for chief constables. Scottish police forces follow guidance contained in the Association of Chief Police Officers’ Manual of Guidance on Police Use of Firearms .

Firearms

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how and by whom the Strathclyde Police Taser pilot will be evaluated before a decision is taken to roll out the use of Tasers on a force-wide basis.

Kenny MacAskill: Firearms legislation is reserved, and is the responsibility of the UK Government. The deployment and use of firearms is an operational matter for chief constables. Strathclyde Police are responsible for drawing up the terms of reference for the evaluation and any issues should be taken up either directly with them or with Strathclyde Police Authority.

Fisheries

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-31224 by Richard Lochhead on 10 February 2010, how and when the amendment to the Scottish farmed salmon protected geographical indication status will be finalised.

Richard Lochhead: I expect the amendment to the Scottish Farmed Salmon Protected Geographical Indication to be finalised shortly and issued for public consultation. The applicant, the Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation, finalise the wording of the amendment application, which must then be agreed by the UK Competent Authority.

Fisheries

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-31224 by Richard Lochhead on 10 February 2010, whether it will make a statement to the Parliament when the proposed amendment to the Scottish farmed salmon protected geographical indication status is finalised.

Richard Lochhead: It would not be normal procedure for me to make a statement in Parliament about the launch of a consultation on a Protected Food Name; however, I will notify you when the consultation is launched which will happen once the application is finalised by the applicant. The consultation will be issued to the clerk of the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee and will also be available on the Scottish Government website.

Forth Crossing

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that the new Upper Forth Crossing name of Clackmannanshire Bridge is inserted on all signage in a 10-mile radius of the bridge as well as at the bridge itself.

Stewart Stevenson: We are satisfied that the signage already in place is sufficient to guide road users to the upper Forth crossings and have no plans to change signage to include the Clackmannanshire Bridge.

Forth Crossing

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what estimates it has made of the potential decrease in the values of properties within 500 metres of the proposed Forth Replacement Crossing and allied works.

Stewart Stevenson: We cannot assume that property within the vicinity of the scheme will decrease in value as a result of the proposed Forth Replacement Crossing.

Forth Crossing

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of residents living within 500 metres of the proposed Forth Replacement Crossing and allied works it estimates will be entitled to compensation.

Stewart Stevenson: This information is not available.

  Guidance on the parliamentary process, compulsory purchase process and compensation specific to the Forth Replacement Crossing (FRC) has been published on the project website and issued to land and home owners within the vicinity of the scheme. The FRC Land Team will continue to discuss individual cases with directly affected landowners.

Forth Crossing

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider a scheme to purchase houses within 500 metres of the proposed Forth Replacement Crossing and allied works that have been negatively affected.

Stewart Stevenson: Part 23 of the Forth Crossing Bill gives Scottish Ministers the authority to acquire any land by agreement.

Health

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many schools in each local authority area offer annual health and fitness checks to pupils, as proposed in the SNP manifesto.

Keith Brown: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-28814, on 2 December 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx .

Health

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive when the health check for people reaching retirement age will be introduced, as proposed in the SNP manifesto.

Shona Robison: The Scottish Government is currently developing proposals for a programme of health checks for people when they reach 40 in association with NHS 24. We will make an announcement shortly, including on how these health checks might be rolled out for people at other key life stages.

Health

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive which NHS boards comply with the national criteria for access to level III services.

Shona Robison: The following NHS boards fully comply with national criteria for Level III Assisted Conception Treatment:

  NHS Ayrshire and Arran

  NHS Borders

  NHS Dumfries and Galloway

  NHS Grampian

  NHS Highland

  NHS Lanarkshire

  NHS Orkney

  NHS Shetland

  NHS Western Isles.

  The following NHS boards are partially compliant with the national criteria:

  NHS Fife

  NHS Forth Valley

  NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

  NHS Lothian

  NHS Tayside.

Health

Iain Smith (North East Fife) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the governments of the (a) Isle of Man and (b) Channel Islands on reciprocal health agreements.

Nicola Sturgeon: In April 2009 I was approached by Edward Teare, the Minister for Health and Social Security in the Manx Government, about the possibility of entering into a health agreement with the Isle of Man.

  At that time I said that I would be interested to learn more of this proposal, with the understanding that any treatment provided would be on the basis of need which arose during a visit to the Isle of Man or Scotland, and that no exchange of public funds could take place. The Manx Government has not been in contact since then.

  Scottish Government officials were contacted by officials in Guernsey before the Channel Islands agreement ended, when it was agreed that a reciprocal agreement between Guernsey and Scotland was not a viable proposition.

Health

Iain Smith (North East Fife) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with other devolved administrations on reciprocal health agreements with the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.

Nicola Sturgeon: Scottish Government officials have had detailed discussions with their counterparts in Wales and Northern Ireland about the UK Government’s decisions to end the reciprocal health agreements with the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands and the limited impact that this will have on our respective countries.

Health

Iain Smith (North East Fife) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what reciprocal health agreements it has with the (a) Isle of Man and (b) Channel Islands and whether it plans to change such agreements.

Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government has no reciprocal health arrangement with the Channel Islands. That arrangement came to an end on 31 March 2009, when the UK Government terminated its reciprocal health agreement with them.

  Our reciprocal health arrangement with the Isle of Man will come to an end on 31 March 2010, when the reciprocal health agreement is terminated by the UK Government.

Health

Iain Smith (North East Fife) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has raised in the (a) Joint Ministerial Committee and (b) British Irish Council the proposals of the UK Government to terminate the reciprocal health agreement with the Isle of Man.

Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government has not raised the UK Government’s decision to terminate the reciprocal health agreement with the Isle of Man with either the Joint Ministerial Committee or the British Irish Council.

Healthcare Associated Infection

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive which NHS boards have indicated that they are unlikely to meet the HEAT target of a 30% reduction in cases of staphylococcus aureus bacteraemias (SABS) by 31 March 2010.

Nicola Sturgeon: The 30 per cent reduction in SAB case numbers is a national rather than an NHS board specific target. The position on overall delivery will not be known until Health Protection Scotland (HPS) publish their validated case number data for year ending March 2010.

  A further 15 per cent national reduction in SAB case numbers by end March 2011 is also to be introduced from 1 April 2010. This further reduction will be measured using projected end March 2010 outturns and will ensure that NHS boards demonstrate continuous improvement in reducing SAB case numbers.

Heritage

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with stakeholders regarding the possible relocation of the clipper ship, City of Adelaide or HMS Carrick, from the Scottish Maritime Museum in Irvine.

Fiona Hyslop: Officials from the Scottish Government and from Historic Scotland have held a wide range of discussions with a number of bodies and individuals regarding this Category A listed ship. These have included the Scottish Maritime Museum, the Advisory Committee of National Historic Ships (the UK-wide body with a remit for historic vessels), North Ayrshire Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund, groups from Sunderland (SCARF) and from Australia (The Clipper Ship, City of Adelaide Ltd) and the UK Government’s Department for Culture Media and Sport. I have personally met with a delegation from the Australian group and have subsequently spoken to the South Australian Minister for Transport.

Heritage

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made regarding the possible relocation of the clipper ship, City of Adelaide or HMS Carrick, from the Scottish Maritime Museum in Irvine.

Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government has been working closely with a number of stakeholders to explore what realistic options exist for securing the future of this category A listed ship. Historic Scotland has recently commenced a detailed evaluation of possible options in order to help support the eventual decision-making process. These options are: Managed Deconstruction of the vessel; Removal to Sunderland; Removal to Adelaide in South Australia, and Retention in a different location in Scotland. None of these options is straightforward, but by undertaking this exercise we will be able to take a fully informed and open decision as to the best outcome for the vessel.

Heritage

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that the clipper ship, City of Adelaide or HMS Carrick, is preserved as part of Scotland’s and Australia’s joint social, cultural and maritime heritage.

Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to questions S3W- 31510 and S3W-31511 on 3 March 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

  http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

Higher Education

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the total annual value is of additional student support received in grants, bursaries and loans resulting from changes made following the Supporting a Smarter Scotland consultation.

Michael Russell: It will not be possible to report the annual value of additional student support received in grants, bursaries and loans following the Supporting a Smarter Scotland consultation until the changes have been implemented in accounting year 2010-11 and data are published on actual spending.

Higher Education

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the total annual value is of government spending in relation to changes made following the Supporting a Smarter Scotland consultation, broken down by (a) annual managed expenditure and (b) departmental expenditure limit.

Michael Russell: The Scottish Government has set aside a budget of £30 million from the departmental expenditure limit and up to £40 million annual managed expenditure to cover changes made following the Supporting a Smarter Scotland consultation. It will not be possible to report the annual value of Scottish Government spending until the changes have been implemented in accounting year 2010-11.

Justice

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) young and (b) adult offenders convicted in the last year for which information is available had (i) no, (ii) one to four, (iii) five to 10 and (iv) over 10 previous convictions.

Kenny MacAskill: Information for 2008-09 will be available on 9 March 2010 (when the 2008-09 Criminal Proceedings in Scottish Courts Statistical Bulletin will be published). I will write to the member with the answer as soon as possible after that date. The answer will also be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 50321).

Land

Willie Coffey (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will bring forward proposals to reform conveyancing law and, in particular, procedures for disposals a non domino.

John Swinney: We intend shortly to go out to consultation on a proposed Bill that would convert ultra-long leases into outright ownership. This would implement Report No. 204 by the Scottish Law Commission on Conversion of Long Leases. The introduction of any Bill would depend upon the views of consultees and the availability of Parliamentary time.

  The Scottish Law Commission’s Report and Draft Bill on Land Registration was published on 26 February 2010. It includes a recommendation intended to clarify and make technical improvement to the law as to when a disposition a non domino (i.e. a title granted by a party who does not own the land in question) may be registered in the Land Register of Scotland. I have asked the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland to undertake public consultation on the Commission’s Report and Draft Bill prior to our bringing forward legislation.

  We have no current plans to bring forward any other conveyancing reforms.

Legal Aid

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications for civil legal aid in relation to environmental matters have been considered by the Scottish Legal Aid Board in the last three years.

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive how many grants of civil legal aid in relation to environmental matters have been awarded in the last three years.

Kenny MacAskill: Information relating to legal aid applications and awards is collected centrally by the Scottish Legal Aid Board. It does not, however, hold definitive information on applications and subsequent awards which specifically relate to environmental matters.

Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) licence holders and (b) employees were issued fines for supplying alcoholic liquor to a drunken person in licensed premises under section 76 of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976 in (i) 2008 and (ii) 2009.

Kenny MacAskill: Information for 2008-09 will be available on 9 March 2010 (when the 2008-09 Criminal Proceedings in Scottish Courts Statistical Bulletin  will be published). I will write to the member with the answer as soon as possible after that date. The answer will also be placed with the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 50319)

Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many individuals have been (a) prosecuted and (b) convicted for selling alcohol to a drunk person under section 113 of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 since it came into force and what the level of fine was in each case.

Kenny MacAskill: Section 113 of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 came into force on 1 September 2009, following the transition period from the 1976 Act regime to the 2005 Act regime. Although the latest Criminal Proceedings in Scottish Courts Statistical Bulletin (and associated data) will be available on 9 March 2010, it will only include data to April 2009. The 2009-10 criminal proceedings data is not likely to be available until late 2010 or early 2011.

Maritime Issues

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive what it considers that the effect would be of the revocation of a licence to construct works within the Scottish marine area where the licensed construction has already taken place.

Richard Lochhead: A marine licence will be valid for the length of the agreed construction period. It is difficult to envisage a situation where a licence could be revoked once a licensed construction had taken place.

  Where the licensed activity is of an ongoing nature then revocation, suspension powers through the Marine (Scotland) Act will have an effect.

Music Tuition

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3O-9386 by Fiona Hyslop on 4 February 2010, when the seminar on music tuition that it is holding with COSLA and Creative Scotland will take place and what the agenda is.

Fiona Hyslop: I refer the member to the answer to question S3O-9386 on 4 February 2010 which informed Parliament that "the Scottish Government is holding a joint seminar with COSLA and Creative Scotland to take forward culture in the wide sense". This event, which is not specifically about music tuition, will be held in Glasgow on 15 March 2010. It will provide an opportunity to explore Creative Scotland’s prospective relationship with local government, and their functions relating to the contribution of culture, creativity and the creative industries to the outcomes in the national performance framework.

  The answer to the oral parliamentary question is available on the Parliament’s website, the official report can be viewed at:

  http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-10/sor0204-02.htm#Col23548.

Music Tuition

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how the quality of care in the NHS is measured in terms of the benefit to the patient.

Nicola Sturgeon: The recently launched Quality Strategy sets out the Scottish Government’s commitment to develop a clear framework of measures which allow us to monitor, improve, report and manage the quality of healthcare, with a clear focus on the benefits and outcome for patients.

  This will involve the development of a set of high-level measures that reflect our shared understanding of quality, and will be developed jointly by representatives of NHSScotland and the Scottish Government Health Directorates.

  The measures will be based around, and capture change across, the six dimensions of quality as identified by the Institute of Medicine - Safe, Effective, Person-Centred, Timely, Efficient and Equitable. It is important to state that the measurement of quality will include the whole spectrum of services the NHS provides, from prevention and health improvement through to healthcare treatment.

NHS Hospitals

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made to end mixed-sex wards in NHS hospitals.

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many mixed sex wards there are in psychiatric hospitals.

Nicola Sturgeon: Work to eliminate mixed sex wards was completed in autumn 2005 and all patients should be cared for in wards or bays which are for single sex occupancy. We are not aware of any hospital which still makes routine use of mixed sex general wards although there are some exceptions such as high dependency areas and intensive care units where single sex accommodation is not practicable.

  NHS Quality Improvement Scotland’s (NHS QIS) Clinical Governance and Risk Management Standards include a requirement to ensure the dignity and privacy of patients is safeguarded at all times. Boards are expected to ensure that all of their facilities comply with the NHS QIS standards and Scottish Government guidelines. Compliance with the standard is monitored by NHS QIS in their regular reviews.

  If for any particular reason a hospital cannot meet the guidelines, patients should be advised of this prior to admission, allowing them to choose to defer admission until suitable accommodation is available.

NHS Staff

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-30493 by Nicola Sturgeon on 18 January 2010, what level of budget for urgent repairs and replacement equipment is available to senior charge nurses, broken down by (a) NHS board and (b) hospital.

Nicola Sturgeon: The information requested is not held centrally. The level of budget for urgent repairs and replacement equipment in each hospital, and the proportion to be utilised by the senior charge nurses each year, is a matter for the NHS board concerned.

NHS Staff

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-30493 by Nicola Sturgeon on 18 January 2010, by what process a senior charge nurse accesses the budget for urgent repairs and replacement equipment.

Nicola Sturgeon: The process to be followed is an operational matter for each NHS board concerned.

NHS Staff

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-30494 by Nicola Sturgeon on 18 January 2010, (a) how many and (b) what percentage of senior charge nurses have responsibility for the deployment of cleaning staff.

Nicola Sturgeon: This information is not routinely collected or held centrally. It is for NHS boards to establish arrangements for the management and deployment of cleaning staff which best suit their needs. However, the Leading Better Care programme is key to ensuring that the senior charge nurse understands their role and works together with the domestic supervisor to ensure that high standards of cleanliness apply in our hospitals so that there is a clean and safe environment for staff, patients and visitors.

Oil and Gas Industry

Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many jobs there have been in the oil and gas industry in each year since 1997.

Jim Mather: The following table reports employment levels in the oil and gas sector in Scotland and Great Britain between 1997 and 2008. The latest data available are for 2008.

  

 
 Scotland


 Extraction of Crude Petroleum and Natural Gas
 Service Activities Incidental to Oil and Gas Extraction Excluding Surveying
 Total


 1997
 8,500 
 13,100 
 21,600 


 1998
 8,800
 13,200
 22,000 


 1999
 8,300
 13,400
 21,700 


 2000
 7,500
 12,200
 19,700 


 2001
 7,100
 12,400
 19,500 


 2002
 6,400
 12,400
 18,800 


 2003
 7,400
 11,100
 18,500 


 2004
 7,900
 11,000
 18,900 


 2005
 8,900
 12,300
 21,200 


 2006
 7,500
 14,400
 21,900 


 2007
 7,700
 14,300
 22,000 


 2008
 7,100
 15,900
 23,000 



  

 
 Great Britain


 Extraction of Crude Petroleum and Natural Gas
 Service Activities Incidental to Oil and Gas Extraction Excluding Surveying
 Total


 1997
 13,800 
 17,000 
 30,800 


 1998
 15,800
 16,000
 31,800 


 1999
 13,700
 16,400
 30,100 


 2000
 12,700
 17,200
 29,900 


 2001
 12,400
 16,700
 29,100 


 2002
 11,400
 15,200
 26,600 


 2003
 12,400
 13,200
 25,600 


 2004
 12,700
 13,900
 26,600 


 2005
 13,800
 14,300
 28,100 


 2006
 13,000
 17,200
 30,200 


 2007
 13,300
 16,000
 29,300 


 2008
 12,800
 17,700
 30,500 



  Source: Annual Employment Survey rescaled 1997, Office for National Statistics, Annual Business Inquiry 1998-2008, Office for National Statistics

  Notes:

  1. Data have been rounded to the nearest hundred.

  2. Estimates for 2005 and earlier are on a different basis to those from 2006 onwards, mainly due to a change in the survey reference date – this may give rise to discontinuities. More information is available from: https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/articles/news/files/ABI2006discontinuities.doc.

  3. The data for 2003 onwards is based on the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) 2003 which differs from previous years Annual Business Inquiry data (based on SIC 1992) – this may give rise to discontinuities. More details are available from:

  http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/articles/ref/abi/ETApr03Jones.pdf.

  These figures relate to direct jobs only. The representative body, Oil and Gas UK, estimate that in 2008 the industry supported around 195,000 jobs in Scotland. This comprised 24,500 directly employed by oil and gas companies, plus around 94,000 within the wider supply chain, with another 36,500 jobs supported by the economic activity induced by employees’ spending. In addition, export activities were estimated to support a further 40,000 jobs.

Older People

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what initiatives are being developed that will improve social care provision for older people.

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that social care providers will be available to cope with the increasing demand for services.

Shona Robison: In response to concerns about the sustainability and fairness of current and future care for older people in the face of financial and demographic pressures, a major work programme – Reshaping Care for Older People – is being taken forward in partnership with NHS Scotland and COSLA through the Ministerial Strategic Group on Health and Community Care.

  The programme aspires to develop practical ideas for change that are sufficiently radical to meet the changing needs of Scotland’s population by enabling people to stay at home or in a homely setting, with maximum independence, for as long as possible. A key aim is to ensure that appropriate arrangements are in place to enable service providers to respond effectively to future demand for services. An Integrated Resource Framework is also being developed and tested across four sites in Scotland, from which evidence is being gathered about how resources can be used most effectively across health and social care.

  So far the programme has focussed on discussion with colleagues with a professional and clinical interest in delivering services for older people. The emerging proposals are moving towards more anticipatory and preventative approaches, more rehabilitation, more "re-ablement", and a greater emphasis on self-care and supported self care, with consequential support for unpaid carers and volunteers.

  As part of a wider engagement process and to further analyse and develop emerging proposals, the programme will from March 2010 until the summer seek views from the public and from a wider range of stakeholders including patients, service users and service providers.

Police

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many assaults were reported against police officers in each of the last five years, broken down by police force.

Kenny MacAskill: The police recorded crime statistics collected centrally are based on an aggregate return, and do not record the occupation of the victim. However, following the introduction of the Emergency Workers (Scotland) Act in 2005, a new distinct crime classification of Minor assault of an emergency worker was created. This will include minor assaults of police officers during any course of their duties.

  The following table shows the number of offences of minor assault of an emergency worker recorded by the police, by police force area, in each year since the act came into force.

  Offences of minor assault of an emergency worker recorded by the police by police force area, 2005-06 to 2008-09

  

 
 2005-06
 2006-07
 2007-08
 2008-09


 Northern
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Grampian
 0
 18
 14
 19


 Tayside
 0
 0
 0
 16


 Fife
 403
 436
 452
 387


 Lothian and Borders
 49
 78
 74
 496


 Central
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Strathclyde
 64
 189
 205
 222


 Dumfries and Galloway
 2
 2
 8
 10


 Scotland
 518
 723
 753
 1,150



  Source: Scottish Government Justice Analytical Services.

  Note that the increase in the number of offences recorded by Lothian and Borders Police from 2007-08 to 2008-09 is the result of a change in recording practice. Prior to August 2008, some of these offences were recorded as "minor assaults" and were not separately identified in the statistics submitted by Lothian and Borders Police to the Scottish Government.

  All serious assaults are recorded under a separate crime classification. However, the Scottish Government does not hold the number of serious assaults on police officers, as the occupation of the victim is not held centrally.

Prison Service

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions in (a) 2007, (b) 2008 and (c) 2009 the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland was requested to give advice on issues affecting vulnerable or mentally ill prisoners in HMP Cornton Vale.

Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Willie Pretswell, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

  The Mental Welfare Commission has been contacted on two occasions in the last three years. Additionally the Mental Welfare Commission has visited Cornton Vale for a routine visit in each of these years.

Prison Service

Gavin Brown (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-28453 by Kenny MacAskill on 5 November 2009, how many human rights cases are pending against the Scottish Prison Service from prisoners at HMP Edinburgh, broken down by type of claim.

Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Willie Pretswell, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

  This information is not available. However, SPS records show that there are 398 live claims relating to slopping out which includes periods held in HMP Edinburgh. There are also six claims relating to segregation which include periods held in HMP Edinburgh and two personal injury claims where the prisoners allege a breach of their human rights.

Procurement

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive whether steps are being taken to issue procurement advice to ensure the use of LED low-energy lighting where possible in government buildings.

John Swinney: The Scottish Government issued guidance in October 2008 encouraging the Scottish Public Sector to use the minimum specification standards and, where possible, the best practice standards described in the "Buy Sustainable - Quick Wins" list of technical specifications. The list includes advice and specifications for the use of energy efficient light bulbs and lighting systems. Although the sole use of LED lights is not mandated they can be used as long as they meet the minimum specifications. The list can be found as follows:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/116601/0067135.pdf.

  In October 2009 the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth launched the Scottish Sustainable Procurement Action Plan which is mandatory for the core Scottish Government. The plan commits core Scottish Government to implement the "Buy Sustainable - Quick Wins" minimum environmental standards with effect from 1 February 2010.

  More broadly the government is preparing a comprehensive approach to energy efficiency in the public sector in its Energy Efficiency Action Plan, due for publication in late spring.

Property

Malcolm Chisholm (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when the accreditation of property managers stakeholders working group will complete its work.

Alex Neil: The stakeholder working group developing the accreditation scheme for property managers will complete its work during 2010.

Public Transport

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to encourage its staff to change from private to public transport for travel connected with their work.

John Swinney: The Scottish Government Travel Plan encourages all staff to avoid or minimise the need for travel through the use of alternatives such as video conference, email and telephone. Where travel is unavoidable staff are encouraged to use low carbon options and to opt for public transport wherever possible.

  In the period 2005-06 to 2008-09 the use of private car mileage undertaken in the delivery of Scottish Government business reduced by almost 10% while over the same period rail passenger miles more than doubled.

Public Transport

Stuart McMillan (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what provision it has made for dropped kerbs in connection with public transport facilities.

Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotland’s policy on dropped kerbs is outlined in Transport Scotland’s Disability Discrimination Act - Good Practice Guide for Roads . This document can be accessed on Transport Scotland’s website at the following address:

  http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/files/documents/reports/j11185.pdf.

  The guide states that dropped kerbs should be applied to: all pedestrian crossings (controlled and uncontrolled); parking lay-bys, and bus stop lay-bys. The guide also provides detailed drawings and dimensions for each scenario.

Renewable Energy

Ross Finnie (West of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the National Renewables Infrastructure Plan is a qualifying plan under the terms of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.

Jim Mather: Officials from the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise have discussed the matter and do consider the National Renewables Infrastructure Plan to be a qualifying plan under the terms of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005. An assessment of the plan, as per the requirements of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 will be progressed in line with preparation of Stage 2 of the National Renewables Infrastructure Plan.

Renewable Energy

Ross Finnie (West of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what communication it has had with Scottish Enterprise regarding the application of the provisions of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 to the National Renewables Infrastructure Plan.

Jim Mather: There have been a number of meetings with Scottish Enterprise in recent months by Scottish Government Ministers and officials on the development of the National Renewables Infrastructure Plan. Officials from the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise met on Tuesday 9 February 2010 to specifically discuss the provisions of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 and how they may apply to the developing National Renewables Infrastructure Plan.

Renewable Energy

Ross Finnie (West of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what communication it has had with Scottish Enterprise regarding the application of the habitats regulations to the National Renewables Infrastructure Plan.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise are in ongoing discussion on a suitable approach to any assessment which may be required under the habitats regulations.

Scottish Government

Mike Rumbles (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what the (a) area and (b) estimated value is of (i) vacant and (ii) occupied office space that it (A) owns and (B) rents, broken down by directorate.

John Swinney: The Scottish Government owns or leases space in 82 properties, with a total net internal area of 120,342m 2 . Two of these properties are currently vacant. In one property, with a net internal area of 5,887m 2 , plans are advanced for it to be re-occupied by another public sector body. The lease on the second property, with a net internal area of 100m 2 , expires at the end of March 2010 and will not be renewed.

  Scottish Government does not record space occupied by individual directorates.

  Information on the value of the Scottish Government core office accommodation can be found in the Scottish Government Consolidated Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2009, published on the web at http://openscotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/10/01085501/0.

Social Care

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether voluntary and private sector social care service providers should be accountable for the commissioning practices of local authorities.

Shona Robison: Local authorities have a duty to provide or commission community care services in line with their local commissioning strategy. Accountability for decisions taken in the context of commissioning services therefore rests with local authorities as the commissioning organisations.

Swimming Pools

Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3O-8010 by Shona Robison on 1 October 2009, what the timescale is for school children in the South of Scotland having access to free swimming, broken down by local authority area.

Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3O-8010 by Shona Robison on 1 October 2009, what work is being undertaken between Scottish Swimming and local authorities in the South of Scotland to deliver the provision of free swimming for school children, broken down by local authority area.

Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3O-8010 by Shona Robison on 1 October 2009, how many children of (a) primary and (b) secondary school age attending full-time education in the Scottish Borders have access to free swimming.

Shona Robison: We are currently working with Scottish Swimming, sportscotland and others to ensure we offer more and better opportunities for our young people across Scotland to enjoy and benefit from swimming. Our investment of over £1.3 million to Scottish Swimming this year, the biggest ever single investment in a Scottish governing body of sport, shows our commitment to swimming in Scotland.

Teachers

Ken Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the funding awarded by the Scottish Funding Council to teacher training institutions is earmarked for teacher training.

Ken Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of funding awarded to teacher training institutions being used for other purposes in the university to which the institution belongs.

Ken Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of how much funding awarded to teacher training institutions is retained by those institutions.

Michael Russell: The Scottish Funding Council does not require institutions to allocate funding internally using the same formula as the council has used to determine their grants for teaching. This is a matter for institutions to decide in light of their particular circumstances and priorities. As autonomous bodies, higher education institutions, are responsible for managing their own funding in light of these individual priorities.

Teachers

Ken Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the reduction in initial teacher training places in 2010-11 will be.

Ken Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the reduction in Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) places in 2010-11 will be.

Michael Russell: The reduction in initial teacher training places in 2010-11 can be found at table 3 of the Scottish Funding Council’s Circular dated 8 February which announced intake targets for the controlled subjects in higher education institutions for academic year 2010-11. The letter can be accessed using the following hyperlink:

  http://www.sfc.ac.uk/web/FILES/CircularsSFC0510/sfc0510.pdf.

Teachers

Ken Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the reduction in initial teacher training places in 2011-12 will be.

Ken Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the reduction in Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) places in 2011-12 will be.

Ken Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the reduction in funding for initial teacher training in 2011-12 will be.

Michael Russell: The Scottish Government carries out an annual teacher workforce planning exercise each autumn that underpins advice to the Scottish Funding Council on intakes to initial teacher education courses. Decisions relating to 2011-12 will made after that exercise.

Teachers

Ken Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the reduction in funding for initial teacher training in 2010-11 will be.

Michael Russell: The reduction in funding for initial teacher education in 2010-11 will be £12 million.

Transport Scotland

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the senior management structure of Transport Scotland is; how it compares with that before the retirement of Dr Malcolm Reed as chief executive, and what the comparative costs are.

Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-23964 on 26 May 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx . The post of Finance Director was subsequently filled in August 2009.

  The salary of the Corporate Board Members of Transport Scotland can be found in the remuneration section of the Transport Scotland Annual Report and Accounts 08/09. Copies are available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 49931).

Voluntary Sector

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what social enterprises Business Gateway has signposted to (a) Scottish Enterprise and (b) Highlands and Islands Enterprise since January 2008.

Jim Mather: The Business Gateway (BG) was an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise until April 2008. At that date responsibility for BG local delivery contracts, in Lowland Scotland, transferred to 12 lead local authorities. In April 2009 the BG was introduced in the Highlands and Islands with local authorities across the area having responsibility for its local delivery from the outset. The Business Gateway national web-site and national telephone enquiry fulfilment service remain operational matters for Scottish Enterprise.

  I will ask Scottish Enterprise’s Chief Executive to write to you with regard to those matters for which it had, and retains operational responsibility. I would suggest that you contact the relevant local authorities (detailed below) regarding this matter which relates to their BG operational responsibilities. Local authorities managing BG local delivery contracts or providing local BG delivery are:

  Aberdeenshire Council

  Argyll and Bute Council

  City of Edinburgh Council

  Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

  Dumfries and Galloway Council

  Dundee City Council

  Falkirk Council

  Fife Council

  Glasgow City Council

  Moray Council

  North Ayrshire Council

  North Lanarkshire Council

  Orkney Islands Council

  Renfrewshire Council

  Scottish Borders Council

  Shetlands Islands Council

  The Highland Council

  West Dunbartonshire Council.

Voluntary Sector

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what action Business Gateway is taking to engage with the social enterprise sector.

Jim Mather: Delivery of the Business Gateway (BG) national website and telephone enquiry fulfilment service is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. I will ask its chief executive to write to you in this regard.

  Business Gateway local delivery is an operational matter for 12 lead local authorities in lowland Scotland and local authorities across the Highlands and Islands. I would suggest that you contact the relevant local authorities (detailed below) regarding this matter.

  Local authorities managing BG local delivery contracts or providing local BG delivery are:

  Aberdeenshire Council

  Argyll and Bute Council

  City of Edinburgh Council

  Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

  Dumfries and Galloway Council

  Dundee City Council

  Falkirk Council

  Fife Council

  Glasgow City Council

  Moray Council

  North Ayrshire Council

  North Lanarkshire Council

  Orkney Islands Council

  Renfrewshire Council

  Scottish Borders Council

  Shetlands Islands Council

  The Highland Council

  West Dunbartonshire Council.

Weather

Jack McConnell (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many gritters were in operation each day on the (a) A721, (b) A722 and (c) A723 in the Motherwell and Wishaw parliamentary constituency between 17 December 2009 and 8 January 2010.

Stewart Stevenson: These roads are local roads and are therefore the responsibility of the appropriate local road authority. As such the information is not held centrally.

Weather

Jack McConnell (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much grit and salt North Lanarkshire Council has bought and stockpiled in each of the last five years.

Stewart Stevenson: Local roads maintenance and upkeep, including winter maintenance, is the responsibility of the appropriate local road authority. As such the information is not held centrally.

Weather

Jack McConnell (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much grit and salt has been bought and stockpiled in each of the last five years.

Stewart Stevenson: Local roads maintenance and upkeep, including winter maintenance, is the responsibility of the appropriate local road authority. As such the information is not held centrally.

Weather

Jack McConnell (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it gives to local authorities about filling grit bins and how it monitors the implementation of such guidance.

Stewart Stevenson: Local authorities are expected to follow the guidance on winter maintenance contained in Delivering Best Value in Highway Maintenance – Code of Practice for Maintenance Management July 2001 which has been endorsed by amongst others, Scottish Government, SCOTS And COSLA. It is for each local road authority to determine how best to implement this guidance in exercising its statutory duties under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984.

Weather

Jack McConnell (Motherwell and Wishaw) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many local authorities had a policy of not filling grit bins as of November 2009.

Stewart Stevenson: Local roads maintenance and upkeep, including winter maintenance, is the responsibility of the appropriate local road authority. As such the information is not held centrally.

Weather

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with local authorities to ensure that local businesses do not suffer because of the closure of local roads damaged during the recent severe weather conditions.

Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government have been in correspondence with COSLA over additional funding to local authorities following the recent spell of inclement weather with £5 million being allocated to share among councils to repair damaged roads. It is however for each local road authority to determine how best exercise its statutory duties under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 to repair, maintain and improve their local road network.